WS - Simple Present Vs Present Progressive | PDF - Free Printable

Exercise 1: Simple Present vs. Present Progressive

The task is to choose between the simple present and present progressive forms of the verbs in parentheses, based on the context of each sentence.

#### Key Differences:
- Simple Present: Used for habitual actions, general truths, or scheduled events.
- Present Progressive: Used for actions happening right now, temporary situations, or planned future actions.

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Solutions with Explanations:

#### 1. Diane can't come to the phone because she (wash) her hair.
- Context: Diane is currently washing her hair, which is why she can't come to the phone.
- Solution: is washing (Present Progressive)
- Explanation: The action is happening right now.

#### 2. Diane (wash) her hair every other day or so.
- Context: This describes a habitual action.
- Solution: washes (Simple Present)
- Explanation: It refers to a regular habit.

#### 3. Kathy (sit, usually) in the front row during class, but today she (sit) in the last row.
- First Blank: Describes Kathy's usual behavior.
- Second Blank: Describes what is happening today.
- Solution:
- First blank: sits (Simple Present)
- Second blank: is sitting (Present Progressive)
- Explanation: The first part refers to a habit, while the second part describes a current situation.

#### 4. Please be quiet. I (try) to concentrate.
- Context: The speaker is trying to concentrate right now.
- Solution: am trying (Present Progressive)
- Explanation: The action is happening at the moment.

#### 5. (you, lock, always) the door to your apartment when you leave?
- Context: This is a question about a habitual action.
- Solution: Do you always lock (Simple Present)
- Explanation: It asks about a regular habit.

#### 6. I wrote to my friend last week. She hasn't answered my letter yet. I (wait, still) for a reply.
- Context: The action of waiting is ongoing.
- Solution: am still waiting (Present Progressive)
- Explanation: The action is happening continuously from the past until now.

#### 7. After six days of rain, I'm glad that the sun (shine) again today.
- Context: The sun is shining right now.
- Solution: is shining (Present Progressive)
- Explanation: The action is happening at the moment.

#### 8. Every morning, the sun (shine) in my bedroom window and (wake) me up.
- First Blank: Describes a habitual action.
- Second Blank: Also describes a habitual action.
- Solution:
- First blank: shines (Simple Present)
- Second blank: wakes (Simple Present)
- Explanation: Both actions are regular habits.

#### **9. A: Look! It (snow).
B: It's beautiful! This is the first time I've ever seen snow. It (snow, not) in my country.**
- First Blank: Describes what is happening right now.
- Second Blank: Describes a general truth about the weather in the speaker's country.
- Solution:
- First blank: is snowing (Present Progressive)
- Second blank: doesn't snow (Simple Present)
- Explanation: The first part is about the current action, while the second part is a general statement.

#### **10. A: Close your eyes. Now listen carefully. What (I, do)?
B: You (rub) the top of your desk with your hand.
A: Close, but not exactly right. Try again.
B: Aha! You (rub) your hands together.
A: Right!**
- First Blank: Describes an action being performed right now.
- Second Blank: Describes an action being performed right now.
- Third Blank: Describes an action being performed right now.
- Solution:
- First blank: am doing (Present Progressive)
- Second blank: are rubbing (Present Progressive)
- Third blank: are rubbing (Present Progressive)
- Explanation: All three parts describe actions happening at the moment.

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Final Answers:

1. Diane can't come to the phone because she is washing her hair.
2. Diane washes her hair every other day or so.
3. Kathy sits (usually) in the front row during class, but today she is sitting in the last row.
4. Please be quiet. I am trying to concentrate.
5. Do you always lock the door to your apartment when you leave?
6. I wrote to my friend last week. She hasn't answered my letter yet. I am still waiting for a reply.
7. After six days of rain, I'm glad that the sun is shining again today.
8. Every morning, the sun shines in my bedroom window and wakes me up.
9. A: Look! It is snowing.
B: It's beautiful! This is the first time I've ever seen snow. It doesn't snow in my country.
10. A: Close your eyes. Now listen carefully. What am I doing?
B: You are rubbing the top of your desk with your hand.
A: Close, but not exactly right. Try again.
B: Aha! You are rubbing your hands together.
A: Right!

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Final Answer Box:

\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{is washing} \\
2. \text{washes} \\
3. \text{sits}, \text{is sitting} \\
4. \text{am trying} \\
5. \text{Do you always lock} \\
6. \text{am still waiting} \\
7. \text{is shining} \\
8. \text{shines}, \text{wakes} \\
9. \text{is snowing}, \text{doesn't snow} \\
10. \text{am doing}, \text{are rubbing}, \text{are rubbing}
\end{array}
}